-optimized.jpg){kind=avatar}
September 1 is International Women in Cyber Day, founded in 2018. More at https://womenincyberday.org/.
Comments
Eryn Linnell, Marketing Campaign Manager at the UK-based cyber firm Bridewell, says: “Over the past few years, weโve seen real progress in supporting women in cyber. Many organisations are making more of a conscious effort to recruit a diverse range of people, and more women are now stepping into senior and leadership roles. Large-scale awareness campaigns have also helped to raise the visibility of women in cyber, ensuring the message reaches a much wider audience.
“That said, barriers remain in the sector. Industry events are still often male-dominated, which can make networking challenging for women entering the field. Expanding the number of women-focused networking opportunities would go a long way in helping balance that out. Equally, thereโs a need for more structured training and mentoring programmes designed specifically for women, initiatives that are vital for nurturing the next generation of leaders in cyber.
“For women starting out, my advice would be to find a mentor or ally early on to support your growth and provide guidance. Itโs also worth exploring non-traditional entry points into the industry including roles in marketing, HR, or finance can be excellent stepping stones into a cyber career, beyond the more traditional consulting path.
“Ultimately, diversity isnโt just a โnice to haveโ, itโs critical to the future of cybersecurity. Teams that are diverse bring wider perspectives, stronger resilience, and more innovative solutions. Beyond that, the way we communicate and market cyber also benefits greatly from a variety of voices.”
And Anna Collard, SVP of Content Strategy and Evangelist at the platform KnowBe4, says: “As someone who never quite fit into a single mould, Iโve found strength in being a multi-disciplined โamateurโ, dabbling across art, mental health, yoga, podcasts, cartoons and – of course – cybersecurity. Itโs the fusion of varied interests that fuels creativity in this exciting field.
“Launching a cybersecurity training product by sketching cartoons on a beach, getting feedback from peers before building it and finally turning that into a real learning tool taught me the power of true connection from the very beginning. After all, understanding users is what guides relevance and impact, especially when it comes to cybersecurity.
“I have also learned that diversity, from hiring across backgrounds, and ruthlessly avoiding distractions like vanity metrics, helps build stronger, more meaningful connections. When you get this balance right, you’ll see a natural and progressive improvement in cyber and organisational resiliency, as people are ultimately the best line of defence against cyberthreats.
“On International Women in Cyber Day, I celebrate the non-linear paths, the multi-passion journeys, diversity and the power of bringing heart, creativity and mindfulness into cybersecurity. Because when we do, we build safer systems that are richer, more inclusive and ultimately, far more effective.”
